Rotational exercise machine

ABSTRACT

A rotational exercise machine according to various embodiments includes an upper section that can pushed around a base section by a user using a handle attached to the upper section, such that the user is pushing along a circular path. The user may adjust the resistance against pushing the upper section about the base using a resistance adjustment knob. The knob in turn may be connected through a cable to a magnetic shoe including a number of substantially equally spaced magnets. The spacing of the magnets, and hence the resistance provided against the user pushing the upper section, may be adjusted by the resistance adjustment knob. The resistance of the magnetic shoe may be regulated using one or more gearing mechanisms to translate the number of revolutions of the upper section about the base section to a slower rotation of the magnetic shoe.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an exercise machine, in particular, an exercise machine in which a user rotates an upper section in a circular path around a base section against a variable resistance.

BACKGROUND

Exercise equipment for home and gym use usually fall into two categories, i.e, strength training and cardiovascular training. In both cases, the amount of floor space required for the exercise machine is important considering the limited space typically available in a home or in a gym that includes a number of different exercise machines for different users and different purposes.

Strength oriented exercise machines typically simulate isolated barbell or dumbbell movements, such as arm curls, leg presses, pull-downs, etc., in which the user stands or sits in one position while perform the exercise. As such, these machines do not require much floor space.

Exercise machines intended to provide cardiovascular training typically simulate distance exercises such as running or walking, stair climbing, cross-country skiing, or rowing, while trying to minimizing the floor space typically needed to perform such exercises. Accordingly, such exercise machines may accommodate only one step or movement at a time. Also, exercise machines intended to provide cardiovascular training do not typically provide resistance, and instead rely on speed, time, and the user's bodyweight.

Some exercises, such as different types of “loaded carry” exercises, attempt to combine both strength and cardiovascular training. For example, exercises used in, or in training for, “strong-man” type competitions may involve pushing or pulling a weighted object over a distance. This may include pushing a heavy object, such as a weighted sled, with a handle, or pulling the object with a harness. Other examples include pushing, pulling, or flipping truck tires, or a “farmer's walk”, in which a person holds heavy weights while walking a distance. However, these exercises are not necessarily appropriate for indoor use without a significant amount of floor space, such as homes or most gyms.

It would be advantageous to provide an exercise machine for home or gym use that provides the benefits of loaded carries without requiring excessive floor space.

SUMMARY

A rotational exercise machine according to various embodiments includes an upper section that can pushed around a base section by a user, such that the user is pushing the upper section along a circular path.

The upper section may include a back rest and handle on an arm that can be adjusted for comfort. The upper section may also include a handle frame with handles at different heights the user can select for comfort and/or to change the difficulty of the exercise.

The user may adjust the resistance against pushing the upper section about the base using a resistance adjustment knob. The knob in turn may be connected through a cable to a resistance module, for example, a magnetic shoe including a number of substantially equally spaced magnets. The spacing of the magnets, and hence the resistance provided against the user pushing the upper section about the base, may be adjusted by the resistance adjustment knob.

The resistance of the magnetic shoe may be regulated using one or more gearing mechanisms to translate the number of revolutions of the upper section about the base section to a slower rotation of the magnetic shoe.

Other means of resistance are contemplated below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate exemplary aspects of the claims, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotational exercise machine according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of a rotational exercise machine according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is yet another perspective view of a rotational exercise machine according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a user exercising on the rotational exercise machine using a back support.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a user exercising on the rotational exercise machine without a back support.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a magnetic shoe assembly according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the rotational exercise machine showing the resistance adjustment mechanism.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are plan views of the magnetic shoe assembly in different positions.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary gearing mechanism.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show a resistance module according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows a housing for the resistance module.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the rotational exercise machine.

DESCRIPTION

Various aspects will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. References made to particular examples and implementations are for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

FIGS. 1-3 show different views of a rotational exercise machine 100 according to an embodiment. The exercise machine 100 includes a lower, base section 102 and an upper section 104. The upper section 104 may be rotated about the base section 102 by means of one of a number of a push handles 106 on a push handle frame 108, or by a handle 110 on an adjustable arm 112.

The push handle frame 108 may be attached to the back of the back of a backrest support frame 114, which supports an optionally padded backrest 116. Both the backrest support frame and arm 112 may be connected to a side of the upper section 104.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show examples of the rotational exercise machine 100 in use. A user 400 may choose to push the upper section 104 around the base section 102 with back support (FIG. 4) or without back support (FIG. 5) along a circular path. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the user may adjust the length of the arm 112 to a comfortable distance based on the length of the user's arms and overall torso thickness. The arm 112 may be adjusted by selecting from a number of holes 404 drilled in the arm and securing the arm length with a bolt 402.

The user may also select to push the upper section 104 without back support using one of the push handles 106 on the push handle frame 108. The user can select a push handle appropriate to the user's height, or change heights to vary the difficulty of the exercise.

The user may also change the difficulty of the exercise by changing his or her pace, or by adjusting the resistance of the exercise machine 100.

In an embodiment, the resistance provided by the exercise machine may be provided by a series of substantially equally spaced magnets 600 arranged in a two-piece circular magnetic shoe 602, as shown in FIG. 6. The magnets may be nickel plated neodymium magnets which can be mounted to the exterior surface of the two portions of the magnetic shoe with bolts 604. In a preferred embodiment, the magnets may each have a flux density of about 13,500 G, although other types of magnets may be used.

The magnetic shoe 602 may be housed in a fly wheel 606.

The resistance may be adjusted using a resistance adjustment knob 700, which may be provided at the end of arm 112, as shown in FIG. 7. The resistance may be adjusted by changing the spacing between the magnets 600 on the magnetic shoe. The resistance adjustment knob 700 is connected to a magnetic tightener 608 connected between the two portions one side of the magnetic shoe 602 by dogbone inserts 610. The other side of the two portions of the magnetic shoes may be connected by a hinge 612. The magnetic shoe has sufficient flexibility to expand and contract in response to the position of the magnetic tightener 608. The entire assembly is referred to herein as a magnetic shoe assembly 614.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are plan views of the magnetic shoe assembly in different positions. FIG. 8A shows the magnets adjusted to a minimum spacing (maximum resistance). FIG. 8B shows the magnets adjusted to a maximum spacing (minimum resistance).

Depending on the strength of the magnets, it may be desirable to regulate the resistance provided by the magnets. A gearing mechanism may be used to translate the number of revolutions performed by the user to a slower revolution of the magnetic shoe. In an embodiment, the gearing ratio may be 1:32, i.e., 32 rotations of the upper portion to one rotation of the magnetic shoe. This may be accomplished by using one or more gearing mechanisms.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary gearing mechanism 900. In this example, the gearing mechanism has a gearing ratio of 1:16. The gearing mechanism may include two, different sized pulleys 902, 904 connected by a toothed belt 906 and proportioned to provide the desired gearing ratio.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show a resistance module 1000 according to an embodiment. Two gearing mechanisms 900 can be stacked to increase the gearing ratio from 1:16 for one to 1:32 as connected. A ratchet gear 1002 may be provided to prevent the exercise machine 100 from pulling the user if he or she quits pushing.

As shown in the sectional view of FIG. 10B, the upper gearing mechanism is connected to the flywheel by shaft 1004, the lower gearing mechanism is connected to the upper gearing mechanism by shaft 1006, and the ratchet gear is connected to the lower gearing mechanism by shaft 1008.

As shown in FIG. 11, the magnetic shoe assembly 614 including the magnets, magnetic shoe, and flywheel are housed between an upper plate 1100 and a middle plate 1102. The gearing mechanism(s) 900 may be housed between the middle plate 1102 and a lower plate 1104. Slots 1106 may be provided in the middle and lower plates to for adjustment of the pulleys to provide sufficient tension by the toothed belt. The ratchet gear 1002 may be positioned below the lower plate 1104.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the rotational exercise machine 100. The upper section 104 and base section 102 may each include a metal frame 1200, 1202, respectively, to provide support and stability. A shroud 1204, 1206 including metal or plastic panels may be provided over the frames. To provide stability during use, the base section may be weighted or attached to the floor, for example, with bolts or concrete.

Although various construction methods and materials have been described with respect to the various components of one preferred embodiment of the invention, many other materials and construction methods would be acceptable taking into consideration functional and structural considerations. For example, variable resistance to pushing the upper section may be provided by mechanisms including one or more of friction or braking elements, ratchet-and-pawl mechanisms, springs, pulleys, belts, etc.

The preceding description of the disclosed aspects is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make, implement, or use the claims. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects without departing from the scope of the claims. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the aspects illustrated herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the claims disclosed herein. 

1. A rotational exercise machine comprising: a base section; an upper section connected to the base section and rotatable about the base section; a handle provided to allow a user to push the upper section about the base section; and a resistance module operative to provide a user-selected resistance against pushing the upper section about the base section.
 2. The rotational exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the resistance module comprises a plurality of magnets attached to a magnetic shoe.
 3. The rotational exercise machine of claim 2, further comprising: means for adjusting the spacing between the plurality of magnets on the magnetic shoe.
 4. The rotational exercise machine of claim 2, wherein said means for adjusting comprises: a tightening mechanism installed in the magnetic shoe; and an adjustment knob accessible by the user connected to a cable to the tightening mechanism.
 5. The rotational exercise machine of claim 2, further comprising a gearing mechanism connected to the magnetic shoe operative to translate the rotation of the upper section to the rotation of the magnetic shoe based on a gearing ratio.
 6. The rotational exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the handle is connected to an arm connected to the upper section.
 7. The rotational exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising a back support connected to a base of the arm.
 8. The rotational exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a handle frame comprising a plurality of handles at different heights connected to the upper section. 